This consultation was open from:
March 9, 2018
to May 8, 2018
Decision summary
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has updated its Statement of Environmental Values to reflect government and Ministry priorities.
Decision details
A decision was made on September 30, 2020 to proceed with the proposal as described, with minor changes made as a result public consultation, as well as minor additional changes by the Ministry, as described below.
Here is the link to the final Statement of Environmental Values (SEV) document.
Effects of consultation
Comments received were generally supportive of the Ministry’s revised Statement of Environmental Values. Some of these comments lead to minor grammatical changes in the document.
Public input
A commenter suggested that the revised language in the SEV indicated a general trend towards less definitive language.
Our response
Through staff experience of documenting the SEV, a need for greater flexibility in interpreting the SEV was required, as every decision is unique.
Public input
A commenter questioned why some of the original principles in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s (MNRF) SEV had been deleted.
Our response
In revising the SEV, the Ministry sought to streamline consideration and documentation of the SEV and align with the current Ministry’s direction. We continue to ensure that natural resources are properly valued. However, we also strive for sustainable natural resource use, recognizing that these values could be economic, social or environmental and the value of each needs to be considered when making a decision.
Other Changes
As a result of the review, the following changes were made to the proposal initially posted.
Section 8, climate change was modified to express more clearly the role of the Ministry, which involves three areas:
- work with our clients, stakeholders, the public and Indigenous communities and organizations
- integrate climate change into natural resource management policy, planning, programs and practices
- build organizational knowledge of the impacts of climate change on natural resources and ways to reduce emissions and mitigate climate risks
Updates to the Vision and Mandate, and Application (principles) to reflect MNRF's new strategic directions.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
300 Water Street - Robinson Place
3rd floor South
Peterborough,
ON
K9J 3C7
Canada
Connect with us
Contact
Jim Boothby
300 Water Street
3rd floor, South
Peterborough,
ON
K9J 8M5
Canada
Original proposal
Proposal details
Description of policy
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is updating its Statement of Environmental Values to reflect Ministry direction, participation of Indigenous peoples, the Ministry’s priority in adapting to climate change, and to provide clarity in the Ministry’s application of its Statement of Environmental Values.
The Statement of Environmental Valuesis required under the Environmental Bill of Rights and provides Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s commitment to the purposes of the Act. The Statement of Environmental Values must be considered when environmentally significant decisions are made within the Ministry. The Statement of Environmental Values provides the Ministry the core principles that it will apply during decision making related to polices, Acts, regulations and instruments that might affect the environment.
The Environmental Bill of Rights requires that Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Statement of Environmental Values explain:
- how the purposes of the act are to be applied when decisions that might significantly affect the environment are made in the Ministry; and
- how consideration of the purposes of the act should be integrated with other considerations, including social, economic and scientific considerations, that are part of decision-making in the Ministry.
The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario monitors and reports on the obligation of prescribed ministries to consider their Statement of Environmental Values when making decisions that may have a significant effect on the environment.
The Ministry is proposing the following changes to its Statement of Environmental Values:
- Add a section that commits the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to continue to mainstream climate change adaptation into natural resource management.
- Update the Ministry’s vision and mandated activities.
- Add a commitment to review the Statement of Environmental Values every five years.
- Affirm the important role of Indigenous peoples participation in Ministry decision-making.
- Revise and update the Statement of Environmental Values`s principles based on current natural resource management practices and provide clear and practical principles to facilitate Statement of Environmental Values consideration.
Purpose of policy
Update the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Statement of Environmental Values to include the important role of Indigenous peoples in decision making, the Ministry`s commitment to mainstream climate change adaptation into natural resource management, and revise and update the Statement of Environmental Values principles based on current resource management direction.
Supporting materials
View materials in person
Some supporting materials may not be available online. If this is the case, you can request to view the materials in person.
Get in touch with the office listed below to find out if materials are available.
300 Water Street - Robinson Place
3rd floor South
Peterborough,
ON
K9J 3C7
Canada
Comment
Commenting is now closed.
This consultation was open from March 9, 2018
to May 8, 2018
Connect with us
Contact
Jim Boothby
300 Water Street
3rd floor, South
Peterborough,
ON
K9J 8M5
Canada
Comments received
Through the registry
0By email
2By mail
4